An Anticoagulant Coating Based on a Block Phosphocholine Copolymer for Potential Applications in Blood Contact Devices

Abstract As the core component of ventricular assist devices, blood pumps have been widely used in clinical treatment. However, the thrombus caused by the contact of the inner surface of the blood pumps with blood still remain a serious risk. The zwitterionic coating has the ability to form a hydration layer to inhibit the protein and blood cell adhesion, which makes it a potential strategy to solve the coagulation on the device. Herein, a phosphocholine zwitterionic coating is presented and formed by a block copolymer poly(2‐methylacryloxyethyl phosphatecholine‐b‐glycidyl methacrylate (PMPC‐b‐GMA). Poly(MPC) and poly(GMA) are intended to provide, respectively, resistance to thrombus formation and adhesion to the material surface. The copolymers are synthesized through reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization to achieve an accurate molecular design. After dip‐coated on the materials, the phosphocholine coating exhibits protein and platelet resistance ability, anticoagulant ability, and in vitro biocompatibility. Furthermore, the in vivo biocompatibility is confirmed through the implantation of the coated polycarbonate substrate in rats. This study provides a promising pathway for regulating the interaction between biomaterials and proteins, platelets, and bioactive molecules, and is expected to guide the further development of anticoagulant coatings to ensure the safety of blood contact devices in clinical treatment.